Ore grinding process containing copolymer grinding aids

Abstract

A process for grinding coal or ores containing metal values comprising carrying out said grinding in a liquid medium and with a grinding aid comprising copolymers or salts of copolymers of styrene with maleic anhydride, itaconic or citraconic acids dispersible in the liquid medium, said grinding aid being present in an amount effective to provide increased grinding efficiency.

We claim: 
     
       1. A process for grinding coal or ores containing metal values comprising carrying out said grinding in the presence of a liquid medium and a polyelectrolyte grinding aid comprising copolymers of styrene with maleic anhydride, itaconic acid or citraconic acid, said grinding aid being dispersible in said medium, and being employed in an amount effective to provide increased grinding efficiency. 
     
     
       2. The process of claim 1 wherein the grinding aid is a copolymer of styrene with maleic anhydride. 
     
     
       3. The process of claim 1 wherein the grinding aid is a copolymer of styrene with itaconic acid. 
     
     
       4. The process of claim 1 wherein the grinding aid is a copolymer of styrene with citraconic acid. 
     
     
       5. The process of claim 1 wherein ores containing metal values are ground. 
     
     
       6. The process of claim 1 wherein coal is ground. 
     
     
       7. A process for grinding coal or ores containing metal values comprising carrying out said grinding in the presence of a liquid medium and a polyelectrolyte grinding aid comprising salts of copolymers of styrene with maleic anhydride, itaconic acid or citraconic acid, said grinding aid being dispersible in said medium, and being employed in an amount effective to provide increased grinding efficiency. 
     
     
       8. The process of claim 7 wherein the grinding aid is a salt of a copolymer of styrene with maleic anhydride. 
     
     
       9. The process of claim 7 wherein the grinding aid is a salt of a copolymer of styrene with itaconic acid. 
     
     
       10. The process of claim 7 wherein the grinding aid is a salt of a copolymer of styrene with citraconic acid. 
     
     
       11. The process of claim 7 wherein the grinding aid is a water-soluble salt of styrene with maleic anhydride, itaconic acid or citraconic acid. 
     
     
       12. The process of claim 11 wherein the salt is an alkali metal or ammonium salt. 
     
     
       13. The process of claim 12 wherein the salt is an alkali metal. 
     
     
       14. The process of claim 13 wherein the alkali metal salt is sodium. 
     
     
       15. The process of claim 7 wherein the grinding aid is a sodium salt of styrene maleic anhydride. 
     
     
       16. The process of claim 7 wherein ores containing metal values are ground. 
     
     
       17. The process of claim 7 wherein coal is ground.